Dom Tollit

Principal Scientist

Email: djt@smruconsulting.com

Dom has over 30 years experience studying the behavioural ecology, foraging, and population dynamics of marine predators. His primary research interests are to understand the ecological role of pinnipeds in coastal habitats, southern resident killer whale habitat use and population viability and to define key parameters within multi-species environmental risk assessment frameworks. Following a PhD at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, Dom worked for SMRU in St. Andrews University, the University of Tasmania and the National Trust for Fiji, before leading a Steller sea lion foraging ecology research program at the University of British Columbia. Since 2009, Dom has undertaken a variety of North American based consultancy projects while working for SMRU Consulting North America, including noise impact assessment, environmental and acoustic-based monitoring programs and pinniped ecological research. His collaborative research has led to more than 40 journal publications in the field of marine mammal science. Recent project experience includes working with industry (VFPA, FORCE, various marine renewable companies) NGOs (WWF, NRDC), federal and local regulators (DFO, BOEM, TC, NOAA and CSLC) and a variety of academic institutions in Canada and the USA. He is currently the technical advisor to Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s ECHO program and actively involved in improving Population Consequences of Disturbance (PCOD) assessments. He is a group member on a variety of technical working groups, including with DFO, Transport Canada and the Washington State Academy of Science. In his free time, Dom enjoys working as a Scientist in Residence for the Vancouver School Board.

  • • Assessing anthropogenic impacts on marine mammals: Development of marine mammal risk assessments for marine industrial activity, including port developments (e.g., RBT2), seismic surveys and offshore wind and tidal projects, including application of both noise and strike risk assessments. Passive acoustic monitoring data collection (e.g., C-POD and PAMGuard, SoundTraps, and SMRUC’s Coastal Acoustic Buoy) and habitat use assessments. Technical Advisor of Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s ECHO Program, member of the Expert Working Group for GOMEX noise risk framework. Member of PMV’s ECHO Advisory Working Group team and acoustic technical committee, member of DFO Noise mitigation CSAS working group and SRKW sanctuary working group. Member of Transport Canadas small vessel working group, IMO and UWVNR working groups. Member of Vancouver Aquarium (CORI) SRKW Noise Metric working group and Noise Tracker group. Washington State Academy of Science Committee on underwater acoustics and Disturbance.

    • Foraging ecology: PhD involved seal scat diet analyses, captive feeding studies, seal radio-tracking and habitat modeling and prey selection analyses. Post-doc research included deploying satellite telemetry, heart rate and stomach temperature sensors on elephant seals and developing and validating traditional and new dietary assessment tools including DNA, fatty acid signature dietary profiling and stable isotopes.

    • Population dynamics: developed a wide range of practical monitoring skills involving seal capture/tagging, vessel based line-transect surveys, photo-ID and brand re-sight surveys, focal animal scan sampling and theodolite surveys, and land-based and aerial-based population censuses.

    • Physiology: Experienced in the various physiology-based techniques, including blood sampling, D2O assessments, and respirometry.

    • On-water: BSAC advanced SCUBA Diver, advanced powerboat certificate, VHF radio operators license.

    • Project Management: proven experience in designing and managing large and complex environmental research programs for both academia and industry.

  • Malinka C. E., Tollit, D. J., Trounce, K., and Wood, J. D. (2023). Evaluating the Benefits of Noise Reduction Mitigation: The ECHO Program. In: Popper, A.N., Sisneros, J., Hawkins, A., Thomsen, F. (eds) The Effects of Noise on Aquatic Life. Springer, Cham. pp. 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-10417-6_100-1

    Southall, B. L, Tollit, D., Amaral, J., Clark, C. W., and Ellison, W. T. (2023). Managing human activity and marine mammals: A biologically based, relativistic risk assessment framework. Front. Mar. Sci. 10:1090132. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2023.1090132

    Palmer, K. J., Tabbutt, S., Gillespie, D., Turner, J., King, P., Tollit, D., Thompson, J., and Wood, J. (2022). Evaluation of a coastal acoustic buoy for cetacean detections, bearing accuracy and exclusion zone monitoring. Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 00, 1– 12. https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.13973

    Watson, J. E. Methe, R. Joy R, D. Tollit and S. Thornton. (2021). Estimating animal utilization distributions from multiple data types: A joint spatio-temporal point process. Annals of Applied Statistics. 15(4):1872-1896. https://doi.org/10.1214/21-AOAS1472

    Eickmeier, J., Tollit, D., Trounce, K., Warner, G., Wood, J., MacGillivray, A. and Zizheng Li (2021) Salish Sea Ambient Noise Study: Best Practices (2021). Vancouver, British Columbia, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program, 50pp. Ocean Best Practices. http://dx.doi.org/10.25607/OBP-1068

    Tollit, D.J., Joy, R., Wood, J., Redden, A., Booth, C., Boucher, T., Porskamp, P. and Oldreive, M. (2019). Baseline presence of and effects of tidal turbine installation and operations on the Harbour porpoise of Minas Passage, Bay of Fundy, Canada. Journal of Ocean Technology 14: 24-48.

    Joy, R., Tollit, D.J. Wood, J., MacGillivray, A., Zizheng L., Trounce, K. and Robinson, O. (2019). Potential benefits of vessel slowdowns on endangered southern resident killer whales. Frontiers in Marine Science. 6 doi: 10.3389/fmars.2019.00344

    Fritz, L., B. Brost, E. Laman, K. Luxa, K. Sweeney, J. Thomason, D. Tollit, W. Walker and T. Zeppelin (2019) A re-examination of the relationship between Steller sea lion diet and population trend using data from the Aleutian Islands. Canadian Journal of Zoology 97(12):1137-1155.

    Joy, R., Wood J., Sparling C., Tollit D.J., Copping A., and McConnell B. (2018) Harbor seal behavior and avoidance of an operational tidal turbine. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 136:92-16

    Wood J, Joy, R. and Tollit D.J (2018). Ship speed reduction is an effective mitigation for underwater noise effects. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 144(3):1733-1733 DOI:10.1121/1.5067689

    Heise, K., Barrett-Lennard, L., Chapman, R., Dakin, T., Erbe, C., Hannay, D., Merchant, N., Pilkington, J., Thornton, S., Tollit, D. and Vagle, S. (2017). Proposed Metrics for the Management of Underwater Noise for Southern Resident Killer Whales. Coastal Ocean Report Series Volume 2017/2 (31 pp). DOI: 10.25317/CORI20172

    Verfuss, UK, Gillespie, D., Gordon, J, Marques, T., Miller, B. Plunkett, R., Theriault J, Tollit, D., Zitterbart, D., Hubert P and L Thomas (2018). Comparing methods suitable for monitoring marine mammals in low visibility conditions during seismic surveys. Marine Pollution Bulletin Volume 126, 1-18 (MPB-D-17-00608R1)

    Tollit, D.J., L. Fritz, R. Joy, K. Miller, A. Schulze, J. Thomason, W. Walker, T. Zeppelin, T.S. Gelatt (2017). Diet of endangered Steller sea lions in the Aleutian Islands: New insights from DNA detections and bio-energetic reconstructions. Canadian Journal of Zoology 95(11): 853–868, DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2016-0253.

    Gomez, C., Lawson, J.W., Wright, A.J., Buren, A., Tollit, D. & Lesage, V. (2016). A systematic review on the behavioural responses of wild marine mammals to noise: the disparity between science and policy. Canadian Journal of Zoology. 94(12): 801-819, DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2016-0098

    Tollit, D.J., Wong, M.A., & Trites, A.W. (2015). Diet composition of Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) in Frederick Sound, southeast Alaska: a comparison of quantification methods using scats to describe temporal and spatial variabilities. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 93(999), 361-376.

    Stricker, C.A., A.M. Christ, M.B. Wunder, A.C. Doll, S.D. Farley, L.D. Rea, D.A.S Rosen, R.D. Scherer, and D.J. Tollit (2015). Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope trophic enrichment factors for Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) vibrissae relative to milk and fish/invertebrate diets. Marine Ecology Progress Series

    Rosen, D.A.S and D.J. Tollit (2012). Effects of phylogeny and prey type on fatty acid calibration coefficients in three pinniped species: implications for the QFASA dietary quantification technique. Marine Ecology Progress Series 467: 263-276.

    Bowles, E., Schulte, P.M., Tollit, D.J., Deagle, B.E. and AW Trites (2011). Proportion of prey consumed can be determined from faecal DNA using real-time PCR. Molecular Ecology Resources 11(3):530-40

    Tollit, D.J, G.J. Pierce, K. Hobson, W.D. Bowen and S.J. Iverson (2010). Diet. In Marine Mammal Ecology and Conservation: A Handbook of Techniques. Edited by I.L. Boyd, W.D. Bowen, and S. J. Iverson. Techniques in Ecology & Conservation, Oxford University Press, UK. 448 pp.

    Sigler, M.F., D.J. Tollit, J.J. Vollenweider, J.F. Thedinga, J.N. Womble, M.A. Wong, D.J. Csepp, and A.W. Trites (2009). Foraging response of a marine predator to prey availability. Marine Ecology Progress Series 38.243-261

    Ferenbaugh, J., R. Strauss, D.J. Tollit, Z. Chen, and S. Diamond (2009). Exploring the potential of otolith microchemistry to enhance diet analysis in pinnipeds. Marine Biology 156:2235-2246.

    Todd, S.K., B. Holm, D.A.S Rosen and D.J. Tollit (2009). Stable isotope signal homogeneity and differences between and within pinniped muscle and skin. Marine Mammal Science 26:176-185.

    Tollit, D.J., A.D. Schulze, A.W. Trites, P. Olesiuk, S.J. Crockford, T. Gelatt, R.R. Ream and K.M. Miller (2009). Development and application of DNA techniques for validating and improving pinniped diet estimates. Ecological Applications 19(4):889-905.

    Nordstrom, C.A., L.J. Wilson, S.J. Iverson and D.J. Tollit (2008). Evaluating Quantitative Fatty Acid Signature Analysis (QFASA) using harbour seals (Phoca vitulina richardsi) in captive feeding studies. Marine Ecology Progress Series 360:245-263

    Tollit, D.J., Heaslip, S.G., Barrick, R.L. and A.W. Trites (2007). Impact of diet index selection and the digestion of prey hard remains on determining the diet of the Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus). Canadian Journal of Zoology 85:1-15.

    Deagle, B.W. and D.J. Tollit (2007). Quantitative analysis of prey DNA in pinniped faeces: potential to estimate diet composition? Conservation Genetics pp. 8:743-747

    Tollit, D.J., S.G. Heaslip, B.E. Deagle, S.J. Iverson, R. Joy, D.A.S. Rosen and A.W. Trites (2006). Estimating diet composition in sea lions: which technique to choose? In Sea Lions of the World. A.W. Trites, S. Atkinson, D.P. DeMaster, L.W. Fritz, T.S. Gelatt, L.D. Rea and K. Wynne (eds). pp. 293-307. Alaska Sea Grant College Program, University of Alaska, Fairbanks.

    Joy, R., D.J. Tollit, J.L. Laake and A.W. Trites (2006). Using simulations to evaluate reconstructions of sea lion diet from scat. In Sea Lions of the World. A.W. Trites, S. Atkinson, D.P. DeMaster, L.W. Fritz, T.S. Gelatt, L.D. Rea and K. Wynne (eds). pp. 205-222. Alaska Sea Grant College Program, University of Alaska, Fairbanks.

    Rosen, D.A., D.J. Tollit, A.J. Winship and A.W. Trites (2006). Potential effects of short-term prey changes on sea lion physiology. In Sea Lions of the World. A.W. Trites, S. Atkinson, D.P. DeMaster, L.W. Fritz, T.S. Gelatt, L.D. Rea and K. Wynne (eds). pp. 103-116. Alaska Sea Grant College Program, University of Alaska, Fairbanks.pp.

    Deagle, B.E., D.J. Tollit, S.N. Jarman, M.A. Hindell and A.W. Trites (2005). Molecular scatology as a tool to study diet: analysis of prey DNA in scats from captive Steller sea lions. Molecular Ecology 14:1831-1842.

    Tollit, D.J., S.G. Heaslip, T.K. Zeppelin, R. Joy, K.A. Call and A.W. Trites (2004). Improving size estimates of walleye pollock and Atka mackerel consumed by Steller sea lions using digestion correction factors and bones recovered in scats. Fishery Bulletin 102:498-508.

    Tollit, D.J., S.G. Heaslip and A.W. Trites (2004). Sizes of walleye pollock consumed by the Eastern stock of Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) in Southeast Alaska from 1994-1999. Fishery Bulletin 102:522-532.

    Zeppelin, T.K., D.J. Tollit, K.A. Call, T.J. Orchard and C.J. Gudmundson (2004). Sizes of walleye pollock and Atka mackerel consumed by the Western stock of Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) in Alaska from 1998-2000. Fishery Bulletin 102:509-521.

    Tollit, D.J., M. Wong, A.J. Winship, D.A.S. Rosen and A.W. Trites (2003). Quantifying errors associated with using prey skeletal structures from fecal samples to determine the diet of the Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus). Marine Mammal Science 19(4):724-744.

    Tierney, M, M.A. Hindell, M.-A. Lea and D.J. Tollit (2001). A comparison of techniques used to estimate body condition of southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina). Wildlife Research 28:581-588.

    Thompson, P.M, A. Mackay, D.J. Tollit, S. Enderby and P.S. Hammond (1999). The influence of body size and sex on the characteristics of harbour seal foraging trips. Canadian Journal of Zoology 76:1044-1053.

    Reed, J.Z., D.J. Tollit, P.M. Thompson and W. Amos (1997). Molecular scatology, the use of molecular analysis to assign species, sex and individual identity to seal faeces. Molecular Ecology 6:225-234.

    Thompson, P.M., D.J. Tollit, D.G. Wood, H.M. Corpe, P.S. Hammond and A. Mackay (1997). Estimating harbour seal abundance and status in an estuarine habitat in N.E. Scotland. Journal of Applied Ecology 34:43-52.

    Tollit, D.J., S.P.R. Greenstreet and P.M. Thompson (1997). Prey selection in harbour seals Phoca vitulina in relation to variations in prey abundance. Canadian Journal of Zoology 75:1508-1518.

    Tollit, D.J., M. Steward, P.M. Thompson, G.J. Pierce, M.B. Santos and S. Hughes (1997). Species and size differences in the digestion of otoliths and beaks; implications for estimates of pinniped diet composition. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Science 54:105-119.

    Thompson, P.M., D.J. Tollit, S.P.R. Greenstreet, A. Mackay and H.M. Corpe (1996). Between year variations in the diet and behaviour of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) in the Moray Firth; causes and consequences. pp. 44-52. In Aquatic Predators and Their Prey. (Eds. S.P.R Greenstreet and Tasker, M.L.). Blackwells Scientific Publications, Oxford.

    Thompson, P.M., B.J. McConnell, D.J. Tollit, A. Mackay, C. Hunter and P.A. Racey (1996). Comparative distribution, movements and diet of harbour and grey seals from the Moray Firth, N.E. Scotland. Journal of Applied Ecology 33:1572-1584.

    Thompson, P.M., D.J. Tollit, et al. (1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996). The Behaviour and Ecology of common and grey seals in the Moray Firth. Contract reports to the Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Dept.

    Tollit, D.J., and Thompson, P.M. 1996. Seasonal and between-year variations in the diet of harbour seals in the Moray Firth, Scotland. Can. J. Zool. 74: 1110-1121.

  • Key Projects

    • Commercial vessel noise monitoring and mitigation assessments for the Port of Vancouver’s ECHO program (2017-2021), including the summer 2017 Haro Strait voluntary vessel slow down trial.

    • Comparing the disturbance effects of large vessel noise and whale watch boat noise on Southern Resident Killer whale for Port of Vancouver’s ECHO program

    • Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Permit applications (Fisheries Act Authorization and SARA) and Information Requests for Ecofish Research

    • Environmental Effects Monitoring Program for FORCE at a tidal turbine demonstration site in the Bay of Fundy

    • Southern resident killer whale population consequences of disturbance (PCoD) for Hemmera and Port Metro Vancouver

    • Development of an anthropogenic noise risk assessment tool for BOEM and NOAA

    • Southern resident killer whale habitat use in the Salish Sea for DFO Science

    • Marine mammal observer support for ECHO Program and Pacheedaht First Nation

    • Long-term Ambient noise monitoring in Burrard Inlet for ECHO Program

    • Cook Inlet beluga whale PCoD expert elicitation workshop for NOAA Fisheries

    • Southern resident killer whale acoustic detection synthesis for Hemmera and Port Metro Vancouver

    • Ambient noise and baseline killer whale detections in core critical habitat of southern resident killer whales in Haro Strait for Hemmera and Port Metro Vancouver

    • Determination of southern resident killer whale behavioural response thresholds (dose-response curves) for Hemmera and Port Metro Vancouver

    • Southern resident killer whale habitat use in the Salish sea for Hemmera and Port Metro Vancouver

    • 3D seismic survey marine mammal Environmental Impact Review on behalf of California State Land Commission

    • Noise effects study at the Admiralty Inlet tidal site in Washington state on behalf of the US Department of Energy, collaborating with NNMREC and PNNL

    • Passive acoustic monitoring baseline study at the Minas Passage tidal site in Nova Scotia on behalf of FORCE and OERA, collaborating with the University of Acadia

    • Marine mammal monitoring and killer whale risk assessment for Admiralty Inlet tidal site in Washington state on behalf of Snohomish PUD and HDR-DTA

    • Passive Acoustic Monitoring study at the Admiralty Inlet tidal site in Washington state on behalf of Snohomish PUD, collaborating with University of Washington

  • Phone: +1 (604) 737-7678

    Email: djt@smruconsulting.com

    Mail: 604 – 55 Water Street

    Vancouver, BC

    V6B 1A1 Canada